Our world is in need of mature, professional scientists with a strong Christian commitment to provide leadership in an age when technology has generated a multitude of moral and ethical concerns.

The biology department offers both the B.S. and B.A. degrees, providing training in the theoretical fundamentals and the practical skills of the biological and chemical sciences. We offer a wide range of biology courses that provide the intellectual foundation you need to pursue post-graduate education and a variety of careers.

Our students have the opportunity to focus their studies by choosing one of four tracks:

General Biology

Cell and Molecular Biology

Systems and Structural Biology

Ecology and Field Biology

The biology department also emphasizes practical training by offering field research trips, project-based laboratories, and research internships.

Pre-Professional Health: the best preparation for pursuing graduate medical training is a rigorous science curriculum, a broad liberal arts exposure, and experience in the clinical setting. Medical schools require that a student complete a bachelor's degree as well a school-specific suite of pre-requisite courses. Most pre-medical students at George Fox University major in either biology or chemistry. The vast majority of students who excell in our academic program, perform well on the MCAT and in the admissions process, and ultimately matriculate. Our department also hosts several informational sessions geared towards preparing students for the admissions process, including hosting seminars with admissions staff from OHSU, providing mock-interviews and assisting students in securing clinical experiences.

Undergraduate Research: the biology department encourages student participation in original biological research that is both laboratory and field-based. Interested students consult with faculty advisors to design and conduct a research project that in many cases leads to publication in the professional literature. Students may also be selected to engage in the biomedical research at OHSU through the Murdock College Science Research Program which provides a summer stipend and placement in an OHSU research laboratory.

Science Outreach: several of our students have the opportunity to experience the world of teaching by joining our science outreach education staff. Outstanding undergraduate biology majors can apply to teach biology classes to elementary and high school students from the broader community. For those students considering a career in education, this is a rare opportunity to explore their passion for relating to people and realize the joy of teaching. Many of our science outreach student-teachers graduate and enroll in M.A.T. programs, subsequently impacting the lives of students in both public and private schools.

The benefits of a Christian college biology degree

Beyond that, our students take a core of classes in literature, history, communication, physical education, religion and philosophy — all within a Christian worldview where faith is integrated with learning.

Prospective students can get info about our biology major on our undergraduate admissions site.